Naida Nišić: They are systematically resolving the issue of outstanding claims of former employees

In just two years of its mandate, the government has allocated a significant amount of funds to settle the claims of former workers, announced the Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue Naida Nišić, adding that the ministry is systematically approaching the issue.

In response to a parliamentary question, she recalled the results of the current Government in resolving the issue of outstanding claims of former workers.

Civic Movement URA MP Miloš Konatar asked Nišić whether he supports the passage of a law that would financially compensate all former employees of state-owned companies that went bankrupt and whether it is now the turn of the former employees in the metal, mining, wood processing and forestry industries to correct the injustice against all other former workers, without exception.

"Aware that all applicants are seeking exclusively what they have earned through their work, the question justifiably arises - how is it possible that such a fair attitude towards former employees was not shown by those who were key figures in previous governments," Nišić asked.

She believes that it is important to point out responsibility for the sustainability of public finances and respect for the principle of fair distribution of funds, and that this must represent the basic principle and code of political action of all decision-makers in all branches of government.

"Starting from clear guidelines on the necessity of preserving the sustainability of public finances and careful planning of future steps towards realistic and possible payments of established claims, this Ministry has systematically approached resolving the issue in question," said Nišić.

She assessed that the principles of government and collective decision-making were respected in this process, but also that deep respect for citizens was shown.

Nišić reminded that, in order to link the benefitted years of service, the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Dialogue, the representative of the Aluminum Plant (KAP) union and the Labor Fund concluded an agreement so that workers would be entitled to an old-age pension. So far, 29 former workers have exercised this right.

"The payment of recognized but unpaid claims for 88 KAP pensioners was made in full, in the amount of 1,15 million euros, in accordance with court rulings on the basis of compensation for damages for underpaid PIO contributions," Nišić stated.

She reminded that agreements have been concluded so that former workers in the metal mining sector can exercise their right to pension. This applies to former workers of Tosčelik, Radvent, Minel Promonfa from Nikšić and Bumech Montenegro, and this concerns around 30 workers.

"The issue of former employees of IMO Košuta Cetinje, which relates to the payment of back wages for 699 workers, has been resolved, through the Labor Fund. After almost 30 years since the opening of bankruptcy, the former employees realized their outstanding claims in December last year, during which funds in the amount of 2,52 million euros were paid out. To date, almost 2,6 million euros have been paid out to 720 workers of Košuta, and the procedure for another 48 requests is underway," Nišić specified.

A total of 15,73 million euros were paid to former employees of the company "Radoje Dakić" last year.

"Since February, 320 requests have been submitted to the Labor Fund for the payment of salaries of former employees of the Bauxite Mine, based on termination of employment due to bankruptcy. So far, 115 former employees have been paid, for whose settlement 306,8 thousand euros were necessary," Nišić added.

As she concluded, the Labor Fund is currently collecting documentation and requests for former workers of the Bijelo Polje-based company "Prva Petoljetka" in order to pay outstanding claims.